SHARON PARK

• Ysaye: Violin Sonata No.1 - IV. Finale con brio

2017 FANFARE WANT LIST

Robert Maxham

“The engineers, though capturing [Park] close up, surrounded her with enough of the hall’s reverberation to lend her an imposing presence... she brings fluid lyricism to the slow movement, and attacks the last with abandon and separates its sections with well-judged pauses... [In the second] Her reading of finale, pure fire and brimstone, surpasses perhaps even Aaron Rosand’s in its sul ponticello sections and in the nearly overwhelming impact of its concluding statement... [In the Third, there is a] powerful effect of her musical rhetoric... [In the Fourth, players have] trouble overcoming the work’s technical challenges without even beginning to worry about characterization. Park succeeds in both ways... only Jascha Heifetz, had he chosen to play the sonatas, could have created a deeper impression in them [than Park does]... [Park's performances] have their breadth rather than their length to commend them; and commend them it does—take a seat at the head of the class. Urgently recommended.”

Robert Maxham , Fanfare [November/December 2017]

"Park plays each sonata with confidence, placing the varied demandsin their specific stylistic ambiences and embracing both intimacy and showmanship."

Donald Rosenberg, Gramophone [September 2017]

“[Park is a] very fine violinist [with a] secure technique. These are worthy performances”

Magil, American Record Guide [September/October 2017]

“Sharon Park delivers a recording that satisfies all of the varied demands of Ysaye’s challenging works. Her technical delivery is jaw-dropping but more importantly she animates the musical heart of each passage. The ability to connect in a directly human way though seemingly superhuman virtuosity is indeed special.”

Jeff Zumfelde, Colorado Public Radio [July 2017]

“first-rate performances from Sharon Park [who] offers passionate readings of all six works... what ultimately matters – as Park clearly realizes – is how well the sonatas work as pure music, not as mere technical displays or dedicatory pieces. And it is in bringing forth the sonatas’ musicality that Park shines... Park manages to display and at the same time transcend the sonatas’ formidable technical difficulties, in so doing producing readings that absorb compositional demands and then subsume them into an expressive whole. And that is – characteristically – exactly what Ysaÿe said violinists need to do in order to perform effectively.”

Mark J. Estren, InfoDad [July 2017]

Belgian violinist and composer Eugène Ysaÿe (1858–1931) was born to a musical family and began learning the violin at age five with his father. Although he wasn’t considered a prodigy, he was revered as The King of the Violin during his time, and was close acquaintances with many notable and influential musicians, such as Joseph Joachim, Franz Liszt, Clara Schumann and Anton Rubinstein. During his time, Ysaÿe also developed close relationships with prominent composers such as Ernest Chausson, Gabriel Fauré and César Franck, all of whom dedicated works to Ysaÿe. Upon hearing Hungarian violinist Joseph Szigeti perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s solo sonatas in concert, Ysaÿe was inspired to write his own set of solo sonatas for the violin. Hearing Szigeti's virtuosity and expressive playing inspired the composer to write a work that showcased the full potential and capabilities of the violin. Each dedicated to a distinguished violinist, the 6 Sonatas for Solo Violin, Op.27 boldly exhibit extensive violin technique, coupled with a stylized musical portrait of each dedicatee.

American violinist Sharon Park has captivated audiences across the United States with her vibrant performances as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and orchestral musician. Her command on the stage and passion for performance has led her to many prestigious concert venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory in Boston and the Arena di Verona in Italy. Park earned top prizes at the Ekstrand Memorial Competition and Stradivarius  International Violin Competition, and received an ARTS Award from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and a Bronislaw Kaper Award. A founding member of the Lark Duo and a devoted collaborator in the chamber music setting, Park has a passion for bringing world-class performances and music education to local communities, providing encouragement and support for the next generation of musicians. Holding an extensive interest for all aspects of the arts industry, Park combines an uncompromising musical integrity with her experience in arts administration to present concerts that share a vision for  bringing communities together through conversation and music. A graduate from the New England Conservatory, Park earned a Master of Music degree at The Juilliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
[ www.SharonParkViolin.com ] EUGÈNE YSAŸE (1858–1931)
6 SONATAS FOR SOLO VIOLIN, OP.27 (1923)

SONATA NO.1 IN G MINOR (à Joseph Szigeti)
I. Grave (Lento assai)
II. Fugato (Molto moderato)
III. Allegretto poco scherzoso (Amabile)
IV. Finale con brio (Allegro fermo)

SONATA NO.2 IN A MINOR, “OBSESSION” (à Jacques Thibaud)
I. Obsession – Prélude (Poco vivace)
II. Malinconia (Poco lento)
III. Danse des ombres (Sarabande; lento)
IV. Les furies (Allegro furioso)

SONATA NO.3 IN D MINOR, “BALLADE” (à Georges Enescu)
Ballade (Lento molto sostenuto)
Allegro in tempo giusto e con bravura

SONATA NO.4 IN E MINOR (à Fritz Kreisler)
I. Allemanda (Lento maestoso)
II. Sarabande (Quasi lento)
III. Finale (Presto ma non troppo)

SONATA NO.5 IN G MAJOR (à Mathieu Crickboom)
I. L’Aurore (Lento assai)
II. Danse rustique (Allegro giocoso molto moderato)

SONATA NO.6 IN E MAJOR (à Manuel Quiroga)
Allegro giusto non troppo vivo



MSR Classics